1.
EQUIPMENT and APPOINTMENTS:
A.
Horses shall be shown astride with a western saddle.
Riders must wear a western hat or helmet approved for riding by an equine
organization, western long sleeve shirt and boots. Chaps or chinks are optional,
but recommended. Carrying of a rope or riata is
optional. Use of training equipment
will not be permitted in the show arena on the day of an SRCHA approved show,
either previous to or during the show. On an SRCHA approved show day, and
until the conclusion of the show, any persons entering the show pen must be
wearing a western hat and long sleeve shirt.
B.
A spade bit or a bit having the following characteristics must
be used in any of the bridle classes and for all horses 6 years of age or
more (with the exception of Novice Non Pro and Youth classes where any NRHA
or AQHA approved bit is allowed; see description in Section E
). Said characteristics shall be: one with an unbroken bar mouthpiece
with one inch or higher port measured from the bottom of the bar to the top
of the port. There must be an operable cricket incorporated into the mouthpiece
of the bit. A barrel, made of copper or metal, wrapped
around the bar of the mouthpiece of the bit is to be considered a part of
the mouthpiece. The barrel must be round, smooth, and made up of one continuous,
unbroken piece. The minimum diameter, on any part of the bar of the mouthpiece,
is 5/16 inch. Bars must be round, oval or egg shaped smooth and unwrapped
metal. Latex wrap or any foreign material is not acceptable. Nothing may protrude
below the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs. The cheeks must
be connected at the bottom. The overall length of the bit shall not be longer
than 8 1/2 inches. Optional tongue release shall not exceed 3 inches in width.
Braces, copper port cover and/or having copper smoothly inlaid in the mouthpiece
are optional. The use of bosal, martingale or tie-down
is prohibited. No wire, chain or other metal or rawhide device may be used
in conjunction with the bit or a part of the leather chin strap. Leather chin
strap must be flat, flexible and at least 1/2 inch wide. No metal rivets are
allowed to come in contact with the chin, or chin groove of the horse. Metal
keepers are not acceptable on the chin strap. Reins with romal
required. The reins can be held in either hand, with hand around reins in
a fist position with thumbs up. The non-rein hand must be on the romal. (The keeper, or hobble, that attaches the romal to the reins is considered to be a part of the romal.) The non-rein hand is not allowed, at anytime, to touch
the reins or a score of -0- will be applied. The rider is allowed to shorten
the reins while the horse is in motion as long as their hands are held in
a legal manner. No fingers are permitted between the reins in Bridle classes.
C.
Hackamores shall be round in shape and constructed of uniform braided
rawhide or leather and have a non-metal flexible core. No gimmick of any kind
may be used in conjunction with the bosal. No rigid
material of any kind may be used, regardless of how padded or covered, in
conjunction with the bosal. Horse hair bosals are prohibited. Mecate (closed)
reins must be used.
D.
Snaffle Bit shall be either “D” or “O” Ring type, no larger than
4 inches in diameter on the inside of the ring. They must have a broken, 2
piece, mouth piece, being a minimum of 5/16 inch in diameter,
measured 1 inch in from the cheek, with a gradual decrease to center of the
snaffle. The mouthpiece should be round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth and unwrapped
metal. It may be inlaid, but must be smooth. Latex wrap is not acceptable.
These bits must be such that when the reins are pulled no undue leverage is
applied, i.e. the inside of the circumference of the ring must be free of
rein, curb, or head stall attachments. A leather
or other woven material chin strap of any width is to be used. No iron, chain
or other material may be used. Chin Strap is allowed to include metal buckles
and/or keepers on snaffle bits only. Reins are to be attached above
the chin strap. Two hands must be used on the reins, except in the herd work
or to provide safety to rider or adjust equipment.
E.
For NOVICE NON PRO or YOUTH classes only, AQHA legal
bits may be used as described in the 2009 AQHA Handbook: References to a bit
in western performance classes mean the use of a curb bit that has a solid
or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits must
be free of mechanical device and should be considered a standard western bit.
A description of a legal, standard western bit includes: (1) 8 1/2”
(215 mm) maximum length shank to be measured as indicated in the diagram on
page 137. Shanks may be fixed or loose. (2) Concerning mouthpieces,
bars must be round, oval or egg shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal of 5/16”
to 3/4” (8 mm to 20 mm) in diameter, measured 1” (25 mm) from the cheek. They
may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing may protrude below
the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs, including upward prongs
on solid mouthpieces. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece,
connecting ring of 1 1/4”(32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat
bar of 3/8” to 3/4” (10mm to 20 mm) measured top to bottom with a maximum
length of 2” (50 mm), which lies flat in the horse’s mouth, is acceptable.
(3) The port must be no higher than 3 1/2” (90 mm) maximum, with rollers
and covers acceptable. Broken mouthpieces, halfbreeds
and spades are standard. (4) Slip or gag bits, and donut and flat polo
mouthpieces are not acceptable.
Note: In all cases, a flat leather chin strap at least
½ inch wide must be used with such a bit, for
F.
BROKEN EQUIPMENT: If at any time during a performance
a piece of equipment breaks, the rider may continue provided the broken equipment
does not pose a hazard to the rider and/or is not cruel to the horse. In the
event that the fence work immediately follows the rein work, broken equipment
may be repaired within a 1 minute time period. Rider may dismount if necessary
to make the repair. Horse and rider may not leave the arena and may not receive
physical assistance or equipment from outside the arena. If the rider is unable
to continue because of the broken equipment, the rider will be excused with
a score of zero.
2.
SCORING:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - Credit must always be given when applicable,
even when there is a penalty involved. When
the judge is in doubt, benefit always goes to the contestant. The scoring system is based on 60 - 80 points.
Half-points may be used. The contestant is judged from the time he/she
enters the arena until he/she completes the pattern. The judge is instructed to pay particular attention
to any suspected attempt to alter the tail and score accordingly.
SCORING SYSTEM - The scoring system for SRCHA/NRCHA approved classes/events
is based upon a 60 - 80 point system.
The lowest score possible is 60 points and the highest score possible
is 80. The average score for a typical
work is 70 points.
TIE FOR FIRST PLACE - in case of a
tie for first place, the highest cow work score will be used to break the
tie. In the event both cow work scores
are the same, the tied contestants will have a work-off down the fence or may flip a coin if mutually agreed. Ties below first place will split earnings and
points.
TWO JUDGE SYSTEM - both scores are combined.
THREE JUDGE SYSTEM - each judge scores a separate card, all three scores
are then compared and the two closest scores are used, with the odd score
being eliminated. (i.e.
the three scores are 72,73 and 75, the total score is 145 (72 and 73) with
the high score of 75 being eliminated). If
the score are evenly divided, the lowest score is eliminated (i.e. the three
scores are 71, 72 and 73, the total score is 145 (72 and 73) with the lowest
score of 71 being eliminated).
Failure of an exhibitor to attempt to complete
the cow work portion of the class, as well as the rein work, will result in
the exhibitor not being eligible for points or placing. This will be considered
a Non-Entry and will be designated by the judge as N-E in the score box of
the judges cards. An entry
which attempts to complete the cow work and has not been disqualified will
be scored accordingly at the judge’s discretion. An entry going off pattern
in the rein work will receive a score of zero. An entry which attempts both
the rein work and the cow work portion may be placed, even if a 0 score is
received in one portion of the class. (Example: If a horse is disqualified
and receives a 0 score for the rein work, but scores a 70 for the cow work,
its total score would be a 70 and the horse would be eligible for placing.)
A judge may blow his/her whistle at anytime
to terminate the work. A score of zero will be given if the work is not complete
at that time.
Horse must appear visibly sound at the
beginning of the run. In the case of a multiple judged event the majority
of the judges must agree on soundness prior to the horse beginning the pattern
or work. Obvious lameness will be cause for immediate disqualification.
3.
RULES FOR JUDGING FENCE WORK (Cow work):
Judging begins when the contestant enters
the arena. There shall be no
The judge should take into consideration
the size of the arena, condition of the ground and disposition of the cattle
in scoring each work. If ground, arena and/or weather conditions are deemed
unfavorable by the exhibitors, they may inform the judge who may elect to
alter the required cattle work for safety reasons. The greater the difficulty
of the run, the more credit should be given. The difficulty may be due to
the extreme speed or stubbornness of the cow, or the cow’s reluctance to move
down the fence when sufficiently driven by the contestant. The most controlled
cow work with the highest degree of difficulty should be marked the highest.
Bad manners exhibited by the horse will be penalized under run content. When
enough cows are available the contestant should receive a new cow if the cow
drawn is unreasonably difficult or unworkable. Allowing the horse to quit
working before the judge signals for a new cow will result in a zero score.
Once a rider has committed to circling a cow, if the cow falls down no new
cow will be awarded. The rider should complete the run by riding around the
fallen cow to fulfill circling requirements. The judge may blow his/her whistle
at anytime during the work. One whistle to terminate
the work, two whistles to award a new cow. If the judge terminates the work
with one whistle or awards a new cow the contestant does not have the option
to continue working. If an exhibitor continues to work after the whistle has
been blown for a new cow the exhibitor will be given a score of zero. With
a multiple judge system, any one of the judges may terminate the work or signal
for a new cow. Judging ends when the whistle blows. A score of zero will be
given if the work is not complete at that point In the cow work phase of any
class one hand on the horn may be used to prevent the fall of the rider. Holding
the horn excessively may be penalized under run content. During the cow work,
when a cow leaves the working area, it is automatic that the contestant will
receive a new cow and scoring will begin again with the new cow.
Boxing:
Working the cow on the end of the arena until such time as the contestant
has proven the ability of the horse to hold the cow. The horse should exhibit
superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without excessive reining
or spurring. In the head-to-head working position, the degree of difficulty
shall be considered.
Turning on the fence: A fence turn is defined as: A turn in which the cow,
while being run down the fence on one side of the arena, or in the “open field”,
is turned in a different direction and held near the same fence, or the same
side of the arena, while being run in the new direction. The exhibitor must
be close enough to the cow to be the cause of the turn. The situation where
a horse and rider attempt to turn the cow and the cow exits the turn behind
the horse is also considered to have satisfied the fence turn requirement.
The route of the cow being worked has been altered because of the influence
of the horse and rider. The actual stopping or turning of the cow by the end
fence will not qualify as a fence turn. To qualify as a fence turn the turn
must be accomplished without the aid of the end
fences to actually stop or turn the animal being worked. During the turn the
horse should use himself in a controlled athletic manner, using its hocks
to stop and drive out of the turn, while using its front end to balance and
turn. The contestant must get at least one turn in each direction. More than
two good turns in each direction should not result in extra credit but also
should not be penalized, unless the cow is thereby too exhausted to circle
correctly. One turn each way may not necessarily result in extra credit if
the horse and/or cow are out of control.
Circling:
Maneuvering the cow smoothly at least 360 degrees in each direction without
interference from the fence. The circle’s size, symmetry, speed and relative
balance from right and left show control. Tightening the circles down with
fast head-to-head speed will be a credit situation. The circles should be
completed before the cow is exhausted.
4.
Cow work - Penalty Points:
1 point penalties:
A. Loss of working advantage.
C. Using the corner or the end of the arena
to turn the cow. (In an oval arena, when the cow’s head
breaks the plane of the end marker.)
E. Changing sides of arena to turn cow.
(1 point each time.)
L. For each length horse runs past cow.
A length by is 1 horse length of daylight between the cow’s head and the top
of the horse’s tail.
S. Slipping a rein.
T. Failure to drive cow past middle marker
on first run down the fence.
W. Excessive whipping, spurring, or hollering.
2 point penalties:
A. Going around the corner of the arena
before turning the cow. (When the cow’s head breaks the
plane of the 2 point penalty marker.)
3 point penalties:
E. Exhausting or overworking the cow before
circling.
H. Hanging up on the fence (refusing to
turn).
K. Knocking down the cow without having
a working advantage.
5 point penalties:
A. Not getting one turn
each way (5 points each way).
B. Spurring or hitting in front of cinch
at anytime.
C. Blatant disobedience, defined as kicking,
biting, bucking, rearing, striking, or obviously insubordinate.
-0- score:
A. Turn tail.
B. Using 2 hands on the reins in a bridle.
(Except in Youth & Novice Non Pro classes)
C. Fingers between the reins in a bridle
class.
D. Balking.
E. Out of control (Any horse that is out
of control while working the cow, thus endangering the rider, i.e. crossing
the path of the cow, shall be called off the cow.)
F. Bloody mouth. (inside)
G. Illegal equipment.
H. Leaving the work area before the pattern
or work is complete.
I. Fall of horse or rider.
J. Schooling of the horse between the rein
and cow work when the cow work immediately follows rein work.
K. Schooling of the horse between cows,
if a new cow is awarded.
Schooling is defined as gaining an advantage
by excessive pulling, turning, stopping or backing.
L. If a rider hits or kicks the animal
being worked, with the romal or reins, in an abusive
manner.
N-E – Failure of an exhibitor to attempt
to complete the work
NOTE: A judge may blow his/her whistle
at anytime to terminate the work. A score of zero will be given if the work
is not complete at that time.